Hydrogen supplies and related methods

ABSTRACT

A hydrogen source comprises a first hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a first form and a second hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a second form different from the first form. The hydrogen source comprises a means for converting hydrogen from the first form to hydrogen gas and transferring the hydrogen gas from the first hydrogen reservoir to the second hydrogen reservoir. An interface is provided for transferring hydrogen from the second hydrogen reservoir to a hydrogen reservoir in a portable device. The interface comprises a fluidic coupling. The hydrogen source may be used to provide hydrogen fuel to a wide range of portable devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. patent application No. 60/721,984 filed on 30 Sep. 2005 and entitled COMPACT HYDROGEN SUPPLY, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for supplying hydrogen to portable devices. The invention has application, for example, in supplying hydrogen to portable electronic devices powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

BACKGROUND

A wide range of portable devices are available. Some examples of such devices are: music players; media players; radio receivers; radio transceivers; global positioning systems; portable telephones (including cellular telephones, satellite telephones, radiotelephones and portable telephone handsets); CD players; portable computers; ultra-mobile computers; calculators; electronic games; personal digital assistants (PDAs); electrical testing equipment; flashlights; power tools; radio beacons and the like. These portable devices can be carried by hand. Because of their portable nature they may be used in a wide variety of different locations.

Portable electrically-powered devices may obtain electrical power from primary or secondary electrical batteries. Batteries have disadvantages as power sources including cost, possible environmental problems associated with manufacturing batteries and disposing of spent batteries and, in the case of secondary batteries, undesirably long recharging times.

Solar cells are used to power some portable devices. However, solar cells have the disadvantages that they only generate electricity when exposed to light and a large area of solar cells would be required to generate sufficient power for some devices.

Fuel cells can be a good source of electrical power for portable electrically-powered devices. Fuel cells convert chemical energy from a fuel directly into electricity (without combustion) by way of an electrochemical reaction. Fuel cells can be made to consume various fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, butane, formic acid, and borohydride compounds.

Hydrogen is attractive as a fuel since it is readily available and the by-product of the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell is water. Hydrogen may be supplied in the form of a high-pressure compressed gas. The use of a compressed gas reservoir to fuel portable devices is not ideal for a number of reasons. These include:

-   -   Cylinders or other vessels for storing compressed hydrogen are         subject to stringent compressed gas codes and standards. Such         vessels may not be readily approved for distribution and use in         light-duty commercial or domestic environments.     -   Compressed gas may be perceived as dangerous by some. This         attitude toward compressed gas may interfere with widespread         consumer adoption of devices which require users to handle         compressed hydrogen.     -   Vessels for holding compressed gas are not inexpensive.         Commercially practical schemes for distributing compressed gas         would typically involve delivery and exchange of cylinders of         compressed hydrogen. Exchanging gas cylinders may prove         difficult to implement in consumer settings.     -   Compressed hydrogen has a relatively low energy density in         comparison to some other fuels.

There remains a need for convenient, cost-effective methods and apparatus that can be used to provide hydrogen for use in portable devices and for portable devices suitable for use with such methods and apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the appended drawings. The embodiments and figures disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows major components of a hydrogen supply according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second hydrogen reservoir as may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows another second hydrogen reservoir as may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a first hydrogen reservoir of a type that may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4A shows schematically a hydrogen supply system according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows another type of first hydrogen reservoir as may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows another type of first hydrogen reservoir as may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows schematically a converter as may be used in some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a combined converter and first hydrogen reservoir as may be used in some embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

This invention provides an apparatus and methods for refueling hydrogen-powered portable devices. The apparatus comprises at least two different reservoirs for storing hydrogen. The hydrogen is in a first form in the first hydrogen reservoir and a second form in the second hydrogen reservoir. The apparatus includes means for converting hydrogen from the first form into the second form. Converting the hydrogen from the first to the second form comprises changing at least one characteristic of the hydrogen somehow. For example, in some cases the hydrogen is chemically combined differently in the first and second hydrogen reservoirs.

The first form is selected to provide convenient storage of hydrogen. In some embodiments the first hydrogen reservoir contains sufficient hydrogen to fill the second hydrogen reservoir at least twice. The first form is chosen to suit criteria such as:

-   -   acceptability to users;     -   safety (non-toxic, non-flammable and/or non-explosive);     -   long shelf-life;     -   low cost;     -   convenient availability;     -   large hydrogen capacity; and/or     -   volumetric efficiency.

In various embodiments, the first form is:

-   -   a dry solid that can yield hydrogen gas by way of hydrolysis;     -   a dry solid that can yield hydrogen gas by way of thermolysis;     -   a liquid which can be reformed or otherwise converted to yield         hydrogen gas;     -   a highly compressed gas.         Hydrogen stored in such forms is not always suitable for direct         use in fueling a hydrogen-powered device.

The second form is selected to facilitate safe, rapid fueling of one or more portable devices. In some but not all embodiments, the hydrogen capacity of the second hydrogen reservoir is small in comparison to that of the first hydrogen reservoir. In some embodiments, hydrogen is not transferred into the second hydrogen reservoir while hydrogen is being transferred into a portable device.

The capacity of the second hydrogen reservoir may be selected to at least equal an amount of hydrogen that one desires to be available for transfer to portable devices at one time. This amount will depend upon the number of portable devices the apparatus is expected to be able to fuel before it becomes necessary to replenish the second hydrogen reservoir as well as the amount of hydrogen likely to be required by each portable device. The second hydrogen reservoir could, for example, have a hydrogen capacity sufficient to refill three or four typical fuel-cell-powered portable devices without receiving more hydrogen from the first hydrogen reservoir.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing major components of a hydrogen supply apparatus 10 according to an example embodiment of the invention. Hydrogen supply 10 comprises a first hydrogen reservoir 12, which may be refillable. First hydrogen reservoir 12 is connected to supply hydrogen to a second hydrogen reservoir 14 by way of a converter 16. Converter 16 converts the hydrogen from the first form in which the hydrogen initially exists in first hydrogen reservoir 12 to the second form in which the hydrogen exists in second hydrogen reservoir 14. As indicated by the dashed box 13, in some embodiments the functions of first hydrogen reservoir 12 and converter 16 are combined.

Converter 16 may operate at a rate different from the rate at which a portable device is fueled from second hydrogen reservoir 14. For example, if an apparatus 10 is used to fuel a portable device for 5 minutes per day, converter 16 may take up to almost 24 hours to convert an amount of hydrogen sufficient to fill second hydrogen reservoir 14 with sufficient hydrogen for the fueling. Some conversion processes generate heat or require the input of heat. Where converter 16 operates relatively slowly, the input or dissipation of heat can be distributed over the time taken for the conversion. This reduces the heat flux into or out of the system significantly.

Apparatus 10 comprises a device fueling interface 26 which permits apparatus 10 to be detachably coupled to a portable device 24. When a portable device 24 is coupled to fueling interface 26, hydrogen is transferred from second hydrogen reservoir 14 to a fuel reservoir 25 in portable device 24 by way of fueling interface 26. Device 24 may comprise, for example:

-   -   a portable device powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and having an         internal hydrogen reservoir (the hydrogen reservoir may integral         or removable in normal operation);     -   a satellite cartridge for use in fueling other portable devices;     -   a replaceable fuel cartridge for use with a fuel-cell-powered         system; or     -   combinations thereof.

Device refueling interface 26 includes a fluidic coupling for carrying hydrogen between apparatus 10 and a portable device 24 and may also comprise one or more of:

-   -   a mechanical safety latch,     -   a means for protecting against overpressure, such as a         pressure-relief valve,     -   a pressure or flow regulator,     -   electrical (data transfer) connectors,     -   electrical power connectors,     -   combinations thereof, and     -   the like.

In some embodiments, interface 26 comprises one or more interchangeable adaptors. Apparatus 10 can be made to interface to portable devices 24 of various configurations by selecting and installing an appropriate adaptor. Such adaptors are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/719,604 entitled REFUELING STATION filed 23 Sep. 2005 and the co-pending U.S. patent application filed on 25 Sep. 2006 and entitled REFUELING STATION, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1A shows a method 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In block 102 hydrogen is introduced into first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the first form. Block 102 may comprise, for example:

-   -   introducing a pellet, powder, capsule, or the like of a solid         hydrogen-containing material into first hydrogen reservoir 12;     -   introducing a liquid into first hydrogen reservoir 12;     -   introducing pressurized hydrogen into first hydrogen reservoir         12;     -   connecting to apparatus 10 a first hydrogen reservoir 12 that         has been pre-filled with hydrogen gas or a solid/liquid or         gaseous hydrogen-containing material.

In block 104 hydrogen from first hydrogen reservoir 12 is converted into the second form and transferred into second hydrogen reservoir 14. In block 104, second hydrogen reservoir 14 is filled. In block 106 a portable device 24 is placed in fluid communication with second hydrogen reservoir 14 by way of interface 26. In block 108 hydrogen is transferred from second hydrogen reservoir 14 through interface 26 to a reservoir 25 of portable device 24.

In some embodiments, it is possible to perform loop 110, two or more times before it is necessary to return to block 102. In some embodiments, the second hydrogen reservoir 14 may contain sufficient hydrogen to fuel two or more portable devices (or to fuel one portable device 24 more than once). In such embodiments, blocks 106 and 108 may be repeated two or more times, as indicated by loop 111, before returning to block 102 or 104. Method 100 returns to block 102 as indicated by loop 112 when it is necessary or desirable to replenish the supply of hydrogen in first reservoir 12.

The type of converter 16 provided in apparatus 10 is dependent upon the nature of the first and second forms of hydrogen. In some embodiments converter 16 requires an input of energy and/or water or other reactant to facilitate conversion of the hydrogen from the first form to the second form. In such embodiments, apparatus 10 includes a source 18 of energy and/or a source 19 of water or other reactant(s). Energy source 18 may provide heat or electricity to converter 16. Heat may be generated using electricity originating from outside of apparatus 10, an on-board heater, or by any other suitable means for heating an element.

Apparatus 10 may comprise a control system that regulates the operation of converter 16 to avoid over filling second hydrogen reservoir 14. In the illustrated embodiment, second hydrogen reservoir 14 provides a control signal 20 to converter 16. Control signal 20 may regulate how much hydrogen is provided to second hydrogen reservoir 14 and/or the rate at which hydrogen is delivered to second hydrogen reservoir 14. The control signal may perform one or more of:

-   -   turning off (or regulating up or down) the operation of         converter 16;     -   blocking or permitting the transfer of hydrogen into second         hydrogen reservoir 14 (for example by closing and opening a         valve;     -   blocking or permitting the introduction of additional hydrogen         or hydrogen-containing material into first hydrogen reservoir 12         (for example by opening or closing a valve or closing and         opening a mechanical lock-out 21 that prevents adding more         hydrogen-containing material to first hydrogen reservoir 12).

Control signal 20 may comprise an analog or digital electrical signal, a mechanical signal (which may comprise a force, motion, or distortion of an element or linkage or a pneumatic or hydraulic signal or the like), or another suitable means for transferring information.

In some embodiments, when second hydrogen reservoir 14 is full (e.g. second hydrogen reservoir 14 comprises at least a threshold amount of hydrogen), no hydrogen is allowed to be converted and transferred from first hydrogen reservoir 12 to second hydrogen reservoir 14. If second hydrogen reservoir 14 is at least partially depleted, the transfer of hydrogen from first hydrogen reservoir 12 to second hydrogen reservoir 14 is initiated. In this manner second hydrogen reservoir 14 can be maintained at a state of readiness to fuel one or more portable devices.

Where second hydrogen reservoir contains sufficient hydrogen to fuel a portable device 24, the rate at which hydrogen is converted and transferred to second hydrogen reservoir 14 can be completely independent of the rate at which hydrogen is transferred from second hydrogen reservoir 14 to a portable device 24 during fueling. In some embodiments, hydrogen is converted quite slowly and is accumulated in second hydrogen reservoir 14 over time for later use. In some embodiments, hydrogen is converted relatively quickly and is accumulated in second hydrogen reservoir 14 over a relatively short period of time for later use.

Where control signal 20 operates a lockout 21, control signal 20 may comprise a mechanical signal that moves lockout 21 into a blocking configuration in response to an increase in pressure within first hydrogen reservoir 12, second hydrogen reservoir 14, or both hydrogen reservoirs 12 and 14. For example lockout 21 could:

-   -   distort a fitting such as a screw thread, socket or the like or         move a member in the proximity of the fitting so that the         fitting cannot be coupled to a corresponding fitting on an         external supply of hydrogen or hydrogen-containing material.     -   lock a cap or other closure in a closed configuration to prevent         a user from inserting additional hydrogen-containing material         into the first reservoir.     -   close a valve to prevent additional hydrogen-containing material         from entering the first reservoir, or the like.

In some embodiments, the second hydrogen reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material that tends to expand as it takes up hydrogen. In some such embodiments signal 20 comprises a mechanical signal generated by the expansion of the hydrogen-storing material.

EXAMPLES

An example means for storing hydrogen in the second hydrogen reservoir is as a compressed gas. The pressure is sufficient to drive the transfer of hydrogen into a reservoir 25 in a portable device 24 by way of interface 26. For instance, where portable device 24 comprises a hydrogen reservoir 25 that comprises a hydrogen-storing material (such as a reversible metal hydride, a suitable zeolite, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, or other suitable material that is capable of occluding and subsequently desorbing hydrogen) then the pressure within second hydrogen reservoir 14 may be maintained at a pressure that is higher than a charging pressure of the hydrogen-storing material. Compressed hydrogen may be used to refuel a variety of portable devices which may store hydrogen as a compressed gas or in combination with a metal-hydride or other hydrogen-storing material.

FIG. 2 shows a specific embodiment of second hydrogen reservoir 14 and device refueling interface 26. In this embodiment, hydrogen reservoir 14 comprises a pressure vessel 27. Hydrogen 30 is introduced into pressure vessel 27 through hydrogen inlet 28. When a device 24 requires refueling, it is connected to fluidic interconnect 32 and hydrogen 30 is allowed to flow through an output regulator 34 into the hydrogen reservoir 25 of the device 24 being refueled.

A pressure sensor 36 may be provided in pressure vessel 27 to provide feedback to components of apparatus 10 that control the flow of hydrogen into second hydrogen reservoir 14. In this manner, second hydrogen reservoir 14 can be maintained at a constant state of readiness for refueling one or more portable hydrogen powered devices. The amount of hydrogen stored in second hydrogen reservoir 14 in this embodiment is determined by the physical size of pressure vessel 27 and the internal operating pressure. For example, a 1 liter pressure vessel operating with a maximum pressure of 100 bar could contain about 100 standard liters of hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen that could actually be transferred into internal hydrogen reservoirs 25 of portable devices 24 would depend upon the internal operating pressures and volumes of hydrogen reservoirs 25.

FIG. 3 shows another construction for second hydrogen reservoir 14. The FIG. 3 embodiment provides a hydrogen-storing material 37 such as a reversible metal-hydride, a zeolite, a carbon-based hydrogen-storing material (e.g. suitable activated carbon or carbon nanotube materials) or some combination thereof to store hydrogen. Second hydrogen reservoir 14 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a vessel 35 which is at least partially filled with a hydrogen-storing material 37.

Hydrogen-storing material 37 may be selected to desorb hydrogen at a plateau pressure suitable for fueling portable devices 24. Hydrogen-storing material 37 improves the volumetric efficiency of second hydrogen reservoir 14. Furthermore, if hydrogen reservoir 25 of portable device 24 also comprises a hydrogen-storing material then there is an opportunity for synergistic thermal interaction that may facilitate accelerated transfer of hydrogen into the hydrogen reservoir 25 of the portable device. Interface 26 may include a thermally-conductive pathway 39 that puts hydrogen-storing material 37 in thermal contact with a hydrogen-storing material in reservoir 25 of a portable device 24 being fueled with hydrogen. Such synergistic thermal interactions are described in U.S. patent application No. 60/719,603 filed on 23 Sep. 2005 and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFUELING REVERSIBLE METAL HYDRIDE HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEM and the co-pending U.S. patent application filed on 25 Sep. 2006 and entitled METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REFUELING REVERSIBLE HYDROGEN-STORAGE SYSTEMS which are both hereby incorporated herein by reference. If hydrogen reservoir 25 of portable device 24 also comprises a hydrogen-storing material then the properties of the hydrogen-storing materials may be related as described in the above-noted patent applications.

When the second hydrogen reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material 37 such as a reversible metal hydride, pressure within the second hydrogen reservoir 14 may be allowed to temporarily reach a high value as hydrogen is transferred into second hydrogen reservoir 14 from first hydrogen reservoir 12. As the hydrogen-storing material occludes the hydrogen the pressure in second hydrogen reservoir 14 will drop.

As an example of such an embodiment, hydrogen from a pre-measured amount of a suitable hydrogen-containing material may be converted to hydrogen gas by hydrolysis or thermolysis in first reservoir 12. The thermolysis or hydrolysis may convert hydrogen more rapidly than the hydrogen can be taken up by hydrogen-storing material 37. As a consequence, the pressure within the first and second reservoirs 12 and 14 may rise to a level that is significantly greater than the plateau (or “desorption”) pressure of hydrogen-storing material 37. As the hydrogen-storing material takes up hydrogen, the pressure within second reservoir 12 will drop until it reaches an equilibrium value that may be at or above the plateau pressure of hydrogen-storing material 37.

A hydrogen-storing material 37 may operate to remove impurities from hydrogen before the hydrogen is transferred to a portable device 24. For example, hydrogen from reformed diesel fuel may contain sulfur impurities. When the hydrogen is occluded by suitable hydrogen-storage material such as a hydride bed (e.g. combines with the hydride bed by absorption or adsorption or some other mechanism) and is subsequently desorbed from the hydride bed, the sulfur impurities will be left behind. The hydride bed implicitly provides the function of filtering the converted hydrogen.

In some embodiments, hydrogen-storing material 37 tends to expand as it takes up hydrogen. In some such embodiments, hydrogen storing material 37 is adjacent to a wall or other movable member that is displaced slightly by expansion of hydrogen-storing material 37. The magnitude of the displacement is one measure of the amount of hydrogen in the second reservoir. Pressure in excess of a plateau pressure of the hydrogen-storing material is another measure of the amount of hydrogen in the second reservoir. In some embodiments a lockout mechanism 21 (See FIG. 1) is operated in response to expansion of the hydrogen-storing material as it takes up hydrogen. When the expansion (or a force resulting from the expansion) increase to a value that indicates that the second reservoir contains at least a threshold quantity of hydrogen then the lockout mechanism is actuated.

In an embodiment wherein the first reservoir includes a port through which additional hydrogen-containing material can be introduced into the first reservoir and that port is associated with a closure of some type then the lockout mechanism may comprise, for example, a mechanism that locks the closure in a closed configuration, thereby inhibiting the introduction of hydrogen-containing material into the first reservoir.

In some embodiments the closure comprises a cap or the like closed by a threaded coupling and the lockout mechanism comprises a deformation of threads of the threaded coupling that is caused by expansion of hydrogen-storing material 37. A wide range of other lockout mechanisms may be actuated in response to expansion of hydrogen-storing material 37 or pressure within second reservoir 14, or some combination thereof.

First hydrogen reservoir 12 may contain a reasonably large mass of hydrogen in a convenient, safe and efficient form.

An example of a first hydrogen reservoir 12 is shown schematically in FIG. 4. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, hydrogen is stored as a compressed gas at a pressure high enough to achieve a desired storage density of hydrogen. Hydrogen reservoir 12 comprises a pressure vessel 40 containing high pressure compressed hydrogen 44. Pressure vessel 40 may be a conventional metal pressure vessel or a composite pressure vessel, for example.

Pressure vessel 40 has an outlet 42 which can carry hydrogen to converter 16. A check valve 43 is provided to prevent hydrogen from flowing back into pressure vessel 40 from converter 16. Refilling valve 41 and the outlet to converter 16 could optionally be the same valve. Optionally, pressure vessel 40 may also comprise other features such as a pressure relief device or an inlet pressure regulator.

Providing compressed hydrogen gas in first hydrogen reservoir 12 may be convenient in situations where hydrogen can be readily sourced from a supply of industrial compressed gas. First hydrogen reservoir 12 may be removable from apparatus 10 to facilitate the replacement of a depleted pressure vessel 40 with a full pressure vessel 40.

When first hydrogen reservoir 12 contains compressed hydrogen, converter 16 may comprise a pressure regulator that delivers hydrogen to second hydrogen reservoir 14 at a pressure that is less than the pressure in first hydrogen reservoir 12. The pressure of hydrogen in second hydrogen reservoir 14 may be held roughly constant. FIG. 4A shows an example of such a system. In embodiments where the amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen reservoir is matched to the capacity of the second hydrogen reservoir, no feedback mechanism (other than any appropriate safety mechanism) is required.

In other embodiments, converter 16 comprises an intermediate chamber which can be placed in fluid communication with first hydrogen reservoir 12 by way of a first valve and can be placed in fluid communication with the second hydrogen reservoir 14 by way of a second valve. The intermediate chamber can be filled with hydrogen. By opening the first and second valves in alternation, small quantities of high-pressure hydrogen can be transferred into second hydrogen reservoir 14 which remains at a lower pressure.

The pressure of compressed hydrogen gas 44 in first hydrogen reservoir 12 may be much higher than the pressure at which it is desired to deliver hydrogen to portable devices 24.

FIG. 4A shows example apparatus in which high-pressure hydrogen 44 from a first hydrogen reservoir 12 passes through a regulator 45 which reduces its pressure. The hydrogen is then delivered into second hydrogen reservoir 14. A control valve 46 operates in response to an electrical or mechanical signal 20 from a sensor 36 in second hydrogen reservoir 14 to keep the second hydrogen reservoir charged with hydrogen.

In some embodiments, hydrogen is stored in a liquid hydrogen-containing material in first hydrogen reservoir 12. For example, hydrogen can be liberated from water, ammonia, hydrazine, silanes, hydrocarbons, liquid chemical hydrides, or aqueous chemical hydrides such as aqueous sodium borohydride or potassium borohydride. These materials may be used to provide first hydrogen reservoir 12 with a very high hydrogen content, easy transportation and replenishment, safety and potentially low cost.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first hydrogen reservoir 12 comprising a container 50 holding a liquid hydrogen-containing material 52. Container 50 comprises an inlet valve 54 and an outlet 56 to converter 16. Optionally, a two-way inlet valve may be provided so that a single port can be selectively placed in fluid communication with an inlet or converter 16. Container 50 may comprise any material suitable for containing liquid hydrogen-containing material 52. Container 50 may optionally comprise a pressure relief device or other safety features.

When hydrogen is stored in first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the form of a hydrogen-containing hydrocarbon liquid (such as diesel fuel, for example), converter 16 may perform hydrogen cracking or reformation to produce hydrogen gas for delivery to second hydrogen reservoir 14. In such cases there may be a residual by-product of the hydrogen dissociation process. Such residue may be either left to accumulate in apparatus 10 or inside the storage system or discharged by way of an optional discharge port (not shown).

In some embodiments, converter 16 may comprises a hydrolysis reactor in which a hydrogen-containing liquid from first hydrogen reservoir 12 undergoes a hydrolysis reaction. In various embodiments:

-   -   The hydrogen-containing liquid comprises an aqueous solution         that undergoes a hydrolysis reaction upon exposure to a catalyst         in converter 16;     -   The hydrogen-containing liquid is mixed with water in converter         16 and undergoes hydrolysis directly; or     -   The hydrogen-containing liquid is mixed with water and the         resulting solution undergoes hydrolysis upon contact with a         catalyst in converter 16.

Silanes such as disilane or trisilane are examples of pure liquid fuels that may hydrolyze directly with water producing only hydrogen and silica as products.

In other embodiments, converter 16 comprises an electrolyzer which breaks down water into hydrogen and oxygen streams. The electrolyzer may produce hydrogen at a comparatively low rate provided it is able, on average, to keep up with the demand. If a sustainable and renewable source of electricity is provided for the electrolyzer (such as a solar panel), converter can generate hydrogen indefinitely so long as there is a supply of water in first hydrogen reservoir 12. The availability of such an apparatus 10 permits portable electronic devices powered by hydrogen fuel cells to be operated away from other energy sources indefinitely as long as there is a suitable supply of hydrogen or a suitable hydrogen-containing material.

Other types of converter 16 may be provided, as appropriate, for liberating hydrogen from specific hydrogen-containing materials. For example, converter 16 may comprise a galvanic cell which generates hydrogen by way of an electrochemical reaction.

In other embodiments, hydrogen is present in first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the form of solid-state hydrogen-containing materials. The solid hydrogen-containing materials may be present in first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the form of pellets, powders, or the like. Solid hydrogen-containing materials may be packaged forms that are convenient for consumer use. For example, a dry hydride ‘puck’ can be created, or a powder bed can be encapsulated in a container to avoid contact with humans. The container may be made of plastic, metal or another suitable material, such as Teflon™ or other polymer. A consumer may take a package of hydrogen-containing material and insert it into apparatus 10 to generate hydrogen for powering portable devices.

The hydrogen-containing material may be provided in a pre-measured form that will produce a known mass of hydrogen upon conversion. The amount of hydrogen-containing material may be selected so that the mass of hydrogen generated by complete conversion of the pre-measured hydrogen-containing material will not be excessive for apparatus 10. In such cases it is not necessary to control the rate of conversion of the hydrogen-containing material (whether by reaction with water, heating, or otherwise) or accurately meter the hydrogen-containing material since the amount of hydrogen that can be generated is limited by the amount of hydrogen-containing material in the pre-measured form.

Some example solid-state hydrogen-containing materials are: sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, lithium alanate, sodium alanate, borazane, ammonium chloride, ammonium fluoride, magnesium hydride, titanium hydride, iron magnesium hydride or combinations thereof.

Chemical hydrides provide a means for generating hydrogen through a variety of reactions. Table 1 shows some common chemical hydrides and their hydrogen-generating reactions.

TABLE 1 Example hydrogen-generating chemical reactions. Wt. % H₂ Reactants Products Released 2Al + 6H₂O + 2KOH 3H₂ + 2KAl(OH)₄ 2.2 NaH + H₂O H₂ + NaOH 4.8 CaH₂ + 2H₂O 2H₂ + Ca(OH)₂ 5.2 2NaSi + 5H₂O Na₂Si₂O₅ + 5H₂ 5.24 MgH₂ + 2H₂O 2H₂ + Mg(OH)₂ 6.5 Mg(AlH₄)₂ + 8H₂O 8H₂ + Mg(OH)₂ + Al(OH)₃ 7.0 MgFeH₆ + Heat Mg + Fe + 3H₂ 7.0 LiAlH₄ + 4H₂O 4H₂ + LiOH + Al(OH)₃ 7.3 NaBH₄ + 4H₂O 4H₂ + H₃BO₃ + NaOH 7.3 MgH₂ + Heat Mg + H₂ 7.7 LiH + H₂O H₂ + LiOH 7.7 2LiAlH₄ + Heat 2LiH + 2Al + 3H₂ 8.0 Al(BH₄)₃ + 12H₂O Al(OH)₃ + 3H₃BO₃ + 12H₂ 8.4 HCl + 3H₂O + NaBH₄ NaCl + H₃BO₃ + 4H₂ 8.6 LiBH₄ + 4H₂O 4H₂ + LiOH + H₃BO₃ 8.6 LiAlH₄ + NH₄Cl LiCl + AlN + 4H₂ 8.8 Si₂H₆ + 4H₂O 2SiO₂ + 7H₂O 11.0 N₂H₄ + Catalyst 2H₂ + N₂ 12.5 0.85Mg(BH₄)₂*2NH₃ + 99.8% pure H₂ 12.84 0.075LiNO₃ + 0.075PTFE H₃BNH₃ + Heat HBNH_(x) + 2H₂ 13.1 3LiAlH₄ + 4NH₃ 3AlN + Li₃N + 12H₂ 13.3 NH₄F + LiBH₄ 4H₂ + BN + LiF 13.6 N₂H₄ + 2NH₃ + Catalyst 5H₂ + 2N₂ 15.1 0.5NH₃BH₃ + 0.3N₂H₄*2BH₃ + 94% pure H₂ 16.52 0.098(NH₄)₂B₁₀H₁₀ + 0.102NH₄NO₃

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a first hydrogen reservoir 12 containing a dry hydride or other hydrogen-containing material. In this embodiment, first hydrogen reservoir 12 also serves as a part of converter 16. Converter 16 comprises means for adding water or one or more other reactants to the dry hydrogen-containing material, and/or heating the hydrogen-containing material. The hydrogen-containing material participates in a reaction that releases hydrogen upon the addition of water or other reactants and/or upon heating. The hydrogen gas can then be transferred to the second hydrogen reservoir 14.

The first hydrogen reservoir 12 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a container 60 having a lid 62 or other access port that can be opened to insert a dry hydrogen-containing material 64 into container 60. An outlet 66 carries hydrogen to second hydrogen reservoir 14.

If the hydrogen produced by converter 16 is impure or in other ways incompatible with second hydrogen reservoir then apparatus 10 may comprise hydrogen treatment stages between converter 16 and second hydrogen reservoir 14. For example, a converter which works by electrolysis or hydrolysis may produce hydrogen that is saturated with water. A drier may be provided in converter 16 or between converter 16 and second hydrogen reservoir 14. The drier may comprise one or more of:

-   -   a material such as DRIERITE™, silica gel, or another suitable         dessicant;     -   a condenser; or,     -   another suitable dryer.         FIG. 3 shows a drier 31. Driers may also be provided in other         embodiments. In some embodiments hydrogen is produced by         electrolysis of water at a pressure significantly greater than a         pressure of the second hydrogen reservoir. The water         concentration of the hydrogen is reduced when the hydrogen         passes through a pressure drop into the second hydrogen         reservoir.

As another example, when hydrogen is stored in the first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the form of a hydride, impurities may be entrained in the hydrogen stream produced when the hydride is hydrolyzed of thermolized. In this case, a filter may be provided between converter 16 and second hydrogen reservoir 14. The filtration may comprise a membrane that acts as a molecular sieve allowing hydrogen to pass while restricting the passage of impurities. By way of example, such membranes may be made from metals, such as palladium, polymers, such as polypropylene, or suitable ceramics such as suitable zeolites. In some embodiments, a contaminant absorber is provided between first and second reservoirs 12, 14. The contaminant absorber may remove contaminating gases such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or the like. In some embodiments, the contaminant absorber may comprise a field-replaceable module. A filter 76 and a contaminant absorber 77 are shown in FIG. 7. Suitable filters, driers, contaminant absorbers, and/or other means for conditioning hydrogen may be provided in any embodiment of the invention.

In some embodiments, first hydrogen reservoir is constructed and/or operated in the manner described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/288,158 filed on 29 Nov. 2005 and entitled HYDROGEN FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS and on U.S. application No. 60/631,164 filed on 29 Nov. 2004 and entitled, HYDROGEN FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a converter 70 which represents one possible embodiment of converter 16. Converter 70 comprises an input 72 and an output 74. A filter 76 and a contaminant absorber 77 are located in output 74.

In some embodiments, hydrogen is provided in the first hydrogen reservoir 12 in the form of a dry hydrogen-containing material and the converter generates hydrogen for second hydrogen reservoir 14 by mixing the dry hydrogen-containing material with water. The conversion occurs when the water and dry chemical undergo a hydrolysis reaction, which releases hydrogen gas. In such embodiments, the converter may comprise a container in which the hydrogen-containing material is mixed with water. In such embodiments, first hydrogen reservoir 12 and converter 16 may share the same container. The water may be pure but is not necessarily pure. In most cases, reasonable amounts of impurities of the type that may be found in tap water or even pond water or groundwater will not significantly affect the quality of hydrogen produced by the hydrolysis reaction.

In some embodiments, an amount of water that is at least sufficient to generate a predetermined mass of hydrogen is added to the dry hydrogen-generating material and the resulting hydrolysis reaction is allowed to go to completion at whatever rate it proceeds. By making second hydrogen reservoir 14 large enough to safely contain all hydrogen generated when a hydrolysis reaction (or other conversion) goes to completion, it becomes impossible to overcharge second hydrogen reservoir 14. A safety mechanism may be provided to prevent overfilling second hydrogen reservoir 14. The safety mechanism may comprise a pressure-relief valve, for example.

In some embodiments, the hydrogen is converted from the first form to the second form by a thermolysis reaction. In a thermolysis reaction a hydrogen-containing material is heated to a point where hydrogen is spontaneously generated. The hydrogen-containing material may be a suitable liquid or solid that undergoes thermolysis at an accessible temperature.

The hydrogen-containing material in first hydrogen reservoir 14 may be very safe for handling at ambient temperatures and selected to generate hydrogen only at moderate temperatures that can be easily achieved with a low-grade heat source. Examples of low-grade heat sources include: combustion via open flames, electrical heating elements, heat pumps or solar heaters. In all cases heat is concentrated on at least a portion of the hydrogen-containing material so that hydrogen is generated. When the heat is removed hydrogen generation stops.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a combined converter and first hydrogen reservoir 80. Converter 80 comprises a container 82. An electrical source 84 is connected to a resistive heater 86 that is located within first hydrogen reservoir container 82. Dry hydrogen-containing material 87 that will undergo the planned thermolysis reaction is introduced into container 82 through an access port 88.

When the pressure in second hydrogen reservoir 14 is low, pressure activated switch 89 closes the electrical circuit so resistive heater 86 generates heat. This heat triggers the thermolysis reaction to generate hydrogen gas in container 82 at arbitrary pressures. The resulting hot, dry, mildly pressurized hydrogen flows through a filter 90 into second hydrogen reservoir 14 until pressure in the second hydrogen reservoir pressure builds to a point at which the resistive heater circuit is opened. When this state is achieved the overall system will be at a state of readiness for refueling portable devices 24.

Thermolysis reactions are a good mechanism for generating hydrogen. Some advantages of generating hydrogen in a thermolysis reaction include:

-   -   Thermolysis reactions can generate large amounts of hydrogen         from hydride materials and produce dry hydrogen without         significant entrained water.     -   A thermolysis reaction can be controlled by controlling the heat         being applied.     -   Thermolysis can be performed using chemical hydrides that have         been stabilized within an inert material. Such materials can be         safe, flame-resistant and impervious to environmental attack.     -   A heat pump may be used to provide heat to cause thermolysis.

In some embodiments, first reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material that reversibly occludes hydrogen by adsorption, absorption, a reversible chemical change or the like. FIG. 4A shows an optional hydrogen-storing material 47 in first reservoir 12.

Various components of apparatus according to the invention may optionally be made to be field-serviceable. For example, a hydrogen-storing material 37 in second hydrogen reservoir 14 could become degraded and need replacing. Second hydrogen reservoir 14 may be configured as a module that can be easily replaced in the field.

Consider, as an example, apparatus 10 according to an embodiment wherein a hydrogen-containing material is subjected to thermolysis or hydrolysis and the resulting hydrogen gas is transferred to a second hydrogen reservoir where it is occluded by a suitable hydrogen-storing material. Such apparatus can have a number of advantageous features including the following:

-   -   Transfer of hydrogen into a portable device 24 can be         facilitated by the synergies between a hydrogen-storing material         in the second hydrogen reservoir and another hydrogen-storing         material in the portable device.     -   The overall weight of the apparatus can be reduced.         Hydrogen-storing materials such as metal hydrides can be fairly         heavy. Most hydrogen can be stored in a first hydrogen reservoir         that is gravimetrically efficient. Since second hydrogen         reservoir needs to contain no more hydrogen than is required for         immediate use, the amount of hydrogen-storing material may be         relatively small in comparison to the amount that would be         required to hold all of the hydrogen in both the first and         second reservoirs.     -   Provision of a hydrogen-storing material in the second hydrogen         reservoir can filter impurities from hydrogen before the         hydrogen is transferred to a portable device.     -   The apparatus can be simple, it does not require any         compressors, pumps or other complicated, heavy, high-maintenance         components.     -   Hydrogen may be introduced to the apparatus in the form of         inexpensive, safe, convenient, and durable pre-measured         hydrogen-containing materials.     -   In embodiments which use thermolysis to convert the hydrogen to         a gas form the conversion can be readily controlled.     -   In embodiments which use hydrolysis to convert the hydrogen to a         gas form the conversion does not need to be controlled if the         hydrogen-containing material is converted only in pre-measured         quantities which are small enough so as to not overtax the         apparatus.     -   The condition (pressure, temperature, etc.) of hydrogen in the         second hydrogen reservoir may be selected to facilitate rapid         transfer of hydrogen to a portable device.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. For example:

-   -   apparatus 10 could comprise a computer-based or hard wired         control system that provides functions such as automatically         shutting down apparatus 10 in the event of a system malfunction         or keeping statistics about the usage of apparatus 10.     -   Control signal 20 may be transmitted through a hard wired         system, a wireless system, combinations thereof, or some other         suitable means of communicating.     -   As is apparent from the various examples provided herein, first         hydrogen reservoir 12 and converter 16 may be separate and         distinct components or may be coupled into an integrated device.         It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and         claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such         modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as         are within their true spirit and scope. 

1. A method for providing hydrogen to hydrogen reservoirs of portable devices, the method comprising: providing hydrogen in a first form in a first reservoir of a hydrogen-generating system, the first reservoir comprising a container with a lid that can be opened to insert the first form into the first reservoir; converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas and transferring the gas to a second reservoir of the hydrogen-generating system; storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir; and, transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of a portable device by way of an interface comprising a detachable fluidic coupling, wherein transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device includes refilling the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device without receiving further hydrogen from the first hydrogen reservoir.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is configured as a replaceable module.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the hydrogen-generating system is devoid of compressors for compressing hydrogen.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the portable device is a handheld device and is one of the group consisting of a music player, a media player, a radio receiver, a radio transceiver, a global positioning system, a portable telephone, a CD player, a portable computer, an ultra-mobile computer, a calculator, an electronic game, a personal digital assistant, an electrical testing system, a flashlight, a power tool, and a radio beacon.
 5. A method for providing hydrogen to hydrogen reservoirs of portable devices, the method comprising: providing hydrogen in a first form in a first reservoir of a hydrogen-generating system, the first reservoir comprising a container with a lid that can be opened to insert the first form into the first reservoir; converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas and transferring the gas to a second reservoir of the hydrogen-generating system; storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir; and transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of a portable device by way of an interface comprising a detachable fluidic coupling, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein the interface comprises a thermally-conductive pathway and further comprising transferring heat to the hydrogen-storing material in the second reservoir from the portable device by way of the thermally-conductive pathway during transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and further comprising delivering heat to the hydrogen-storing material in the second reservoir during transferring.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device comprises driving hydrogen gas from the second reservoir across the interface to the portable device by a pressure differential between a plateau pressure of the hydrogen-storing material in the second reservoir and a fuel reservoir of the portable device.
 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises hydrogen in a liquid or solid hydrogen-containing material and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises releasing the hydrogen from substantially all of a pre-measured quantity of the hydrogen-containing material.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein releasing the hydrogen from the hydrogen-containing material comprises subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to hydrolysis, thermolysis or a combination thereof.
 11. A method according to claim 9, comprising, upon releasing the hydrogen from substantially all of the pre-measured quantity of the hydrogen-containing material allowing a pressure within the second reservoir to rise to a maximum pressure substantially in excess of a charging pressure of the hydrogen-storing material and then allowing the pressure within the second reservoir to fall from the maximum pressure as the hydrogen-storing material takes up hydrogen.
 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein the hydrogen-storing material expands as it takes up hydrogen and further comprising allowing expansion of the hydrogen-storing material to inhibit introduction of hydrogen into the first reservoir.
 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises a compressed gas and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises reducing a pressure of the compressed gas.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises hydrogen in a solid hydrogen-containing material and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to hydrolysis, thermolysis or both.
 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises hydrogen in a liquid hydrogen-containing material and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to hydrolysis.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the hydrogen-containing material comprises an aqueous material and subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to hydrolysis comprises contacting the hydrogen-containing material with a catalyst.
 17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen in the first form is hydrogen in a liquid hydrogen-containing hydrocarbon material and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises reforming the hydrogen-containing material.
 18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises hydrogen occluded by a second hydrogen storing material.
 19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises a hydrogen-storing material and storing the hydrogen in a second form in the second reservoir comprises allowing the hydrogen-storing material to occlude hydrogen and wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises hydrogen in a liquid hydrogen-containing material and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to electrolysis.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein subjecting the hydrogen-containing material to electrolysis comprises generating electricity from light energy and applying the electricity to an electrolysis cell.
 21. A method according to claim 1, comprising transferring the hydrogen from the second reservoir to hydrogen reservoirs of a plurality of portable devices.
 22. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen in the first form comprises a liquid.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the liquid comprises a hydrocarbon and converting the hydrogen from the first form to a gas comprises reforming the hydrocarbon.
 24. A method according to claim 1, further comprising conditioning the gas while transferring the gas to the second reservoir.
 25. A method according to claim 24, comprising filtering or drying the gas while transferring the gas to a second reservoir.
 26. A method according to claim 1, wherein converting hydrogen from the first form to the gas occurs at a different rate than transferring hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device.
 27. A method according to claim 1, wherein converting hydrogen from the first form to the gas occurs at a faster rate than transferring hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device.
 28. A method according to claim 1, wherein converting hydrogen from the first form to the gas occurs at a slower rate than transferring hydrogen from the second reservoir to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device.
 29. A method according to claim 1, wherein converting and transferring hydrogen to the second reservoir occurs only when the second reservoir contains less than a threshold amount of hydrogen.
 30. A method according to claim 1, further including regulating an amount of gas transferred to the second reservoir with a control signal. 